Monday, May 31, 2010

Boca Is Open!

A new restaurant specializing in gourmet tacos has opened in the old Greasy Tony's location at 828 E. Speedway Blvd.

Boca is the brainchild of Brian Mazon—whose family runs Papagayo Mexican Restaurant and Cantina—and his wife, Maria Jose, who is the executive chef of the new eatery. The couple spent some 13 months renovating the building and getting all the permits in line before quietly opening to the public three days ago, said Mazon.

“We took the outside taco stand and took it inside,” said Mazon. “We’re very happy with what we got.”

There are 15 different tacos in all, ranging in price from $2.50 for a carne-asada version to $3.95 for one made with certified Angus beef. Other fillings include barbecued pork, octopus grilled with onion and garlic, salmon in a tangerine-orange-lemon marinade and a vegetarian mixture of mushrooms, serranos and cilantro.

Mazon said the tortillas are made in house and cooked to order, and that the tacos are a bit on the hefty side. “Two tacos is a meal,” he said.

More appetizers and desserts are on the way, but for now, Boca serves deep-fried arroz con leche on a bed of chocolate ganache and topped with cinnamon, caramel and fried tortilla strips. Boca also serves beer and liquor, and will continue to expand its tequila selection until the bottle count reaches 100, said Mazon.

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Wednesday; and 10:30 a.m. to 3 a.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Call 777-8134, or visit their Facebook page for more information.